THE VICTORY SECURED (HOW OUR BATTLES ARE WON OR LOST IN THE SECRET PLACE) Exodus 17:8-16 VICTORIOUS IN BATTLE

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1 THE VICTORY SECURED (HOW OUR BATTLES ARE WON OR LOST IN THE SECRET PLACE) Exodus 17:8-16 VICTORIOUS IN BATTLE THE PROVOCATION OF AMALEK THE PLAN OF MOSES THE POWER OF GOD THE POINT TO YOU AND ME And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. (Exodus 17:11) Bill Kirk 1

2 VICTORY SECURED Exodus 17:8-16 Text: And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. (Exodus 17:11) Deliverance from Egypt (Ch. 12) Direct leading the fire and the cloud (Ch. 13) Dividing of the Red Sea (Ch. 14) Divine supply at Marah (Ch. 15) Delicious manna from heaven (Ch. 16) Introduction (Israel has just experienced great blessings.) Battle Stations Israel now experiences their first engagement in warfare after crossing the Red Sea. Fact: Amalek did his best to steal Israel s victory. Fact: Satan will do his best to steal your victory. Fact: God shows us how the enemy is defeated. Fact: God shows us our responsibility in the process. Question: What is the principle of Exodus 17:8-16? Question: Why did Amalek come to fight with Israel? Question: Why did Moses pray while Joshua fought? Question: Why at times, do our hands get heavy? Question: What s the big deal about the memorial book and the altar of victory? Question: And what difference does it all have to do with me in? (your city name) I. The Provocation Of Amalek (V. 8) Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. (Exodus 17:8) Remember 1. The Amalekites were descendants of Amalek. 2. Amalek was the grandson of Esau. (Genesis 36:12) 3. The Amalekites separated themselves from the other Edomites and became the predominant tribe in Northern Sinai. 4. The Amalekites became Israel s enemy and sought to steal their rightful inheritance. Notice The Amalekite Attack #1. It was Unprovoked Then came Amalek (v. 8) Fact: Nothing was done by the Hebrews to incite the war. Fact: The people of God were simply following God s will in their journey towards Canaan. Be Alert: The enemy of your soul is lurking to attack. Be Alert: All you need to be doing is the will of God. Be Alert: Your intense battles mean that you are making progress in the Lord! #2. It Was Unmerciful 2

3 Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt, how we met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou was faint and weary; and he feared not God. (Deuteronomy 25:17, 18) Fact: The Amalekites were cruel and hostile. Fact: Their attack plan was to kill those who had fallen behind. Fact: The enemy (sensing blood) was vindictive in smiting those who were weak, weary, faint and vulnerable. Be Alert: The devil knows our weak points. Be Alert: The devil knows our progress. Be Alert: The devil knows how God wants to use you in His army. #3. It Was Unsuspecting Fact: Israel had just experienced a divine supply of water and manna. Fact: These miracles had produced an uninterrupted song of joy and praise. Fact: Israel had no idea that they were about to be blind-sided by a surprise attack. Question: Has the enemy blind-sided you in recent days, or weeks or the past year? Question: Has the enemy come in like a flood (with unexpected tactics?) Question: Has the enemy interrupted your song of joy and praise? Amalek was sure of victory Israel was inexperienced in war. Israel was encumbered with baggage. Israel was fatigued in marching. Israel was overwhelmed with the aged and infirmed. II. The Plan of Moses (v. 9-11) Question: How do you respond when the enemy comes in like a flood? Question: How is the enemy defeated in battle? #1. Moses Plan: I will stand on top of the hill. (v. 9) #2. Moses Power: When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. (v. 11a) #3. Moses Problem: When Moses let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. (v.11b) (Plain and Simple) Fact: When Moses hands are raised (in prayer) Israel wins. Fact: When Moses hands are down (in prayer) Israel loses. (What s the lesson here?) #1. Literally, two physical hands lifted in the air cannot influence any battle. #2. There is not battle support from hands in the air. #3. Divine intervention is not found in the position of earthly hands. So what s it mean? Moses learns that when hands are up; Israel wins. Moses learns that when hands are down; Israel loses. What s the revelation to our hearts? 3

4 #1. That Moses help can only come from God (his hands are upward toward heaven). And #2. That help will only come as Moses remains in the place of unceasing prayer with God (hands up). In Other Words #1. Our help in all spiritual growth, living and battles can only come from God. #2. That help of God will only be ours as we remain dependent (in prayer) before God. #3. All strength, courage and wisdom comes through the ministry of prayer. #4. The battle is the Lords, but our praying is what decides the outcome. #5. Our hands up or hands down will affect other people as well in battle. (Moses reveals the ministry of prayer) #1. It opens Heaven! #4. It decides battles! #2. It dispatches resources! #5. It prepares us for greater victories to come! #3. It influences principalities! What a discovery here: That satan s #1 priority in the church is to get our hands down in prayer. (Why?) So that we will not receive God s help. So that we will not receive Divine supplies. So that we will function in our own abilities. So that we will lose the battle. (He knows we can win.) II. The Power of God (V ) Moses hands were heavy, his hands were steady until the going down of the sun; and Joshua discomforted Amalek. (v. 12, 13) (Notice the words) And Joshua discomforted Amalek (v. 13) Fact: The power of God was revealed in Rephidim. Fact: The power of God will be revealed today. (Some ingredients of this power) 1. It Was Totally Undeserved The Israelites had just finished murmuring. (V. 3) The Israelites had just wanted to stone Moses. (V. 4) The Israelites had just tempted the Lord. (V. 7) 2. It Was Timed Precisely Defeat would have brought a host of other enemies to battle Israel. (But) Victory was a witness to all the neighboring people that God comes through for His own (on time). 3. It Was Thorough And Complete God said from generation to generation Amalek will be defeated. (v. 16) The enemy might return, but victory is assured by the power of God. (The one condition?) With hands up (I obtain the victory God wants to give). With hands down (I forfeit the victory God wants to give). 4

5 (Yes) The battle is the Lords, but my choices determine the outcome in my life!!! IV. The Point To Us All What s the big deal of the story? The big deal is: #1. The Book (To chronicle the victory) Write this (victory) for a memorial in a book. (V. 14) #2. The Altar: (To commemorate the victory) And Moses built an altar and called the name of it JEHOVAH-NISSI (The Lord our banner) (V. 15) To record the account of the victory! To detail the faithfulness of God! To preserve for us a faith builder; o Don t forget what God did then! Why The Book? (Why the altar?) 1. To remind us who our banner is! 2. To remind us who goes with us in battle! 3. To remind us that help is certain in conflict! 4. To remind us where we are to put our trust! 5. To remind you that no weapon formed against you shall prosper!!! AMEN Bill Kirk 5